Live Free Ministries seeks city funding

The Omega Houses have provided rehabilitation services to men struggling with drug and alcohol addiction in McPherson County for years.

By Joseph TuszynskiStaff Writer

The Omega Houses have provided rehabilitation services to men struggling with drug and alcohol addiction in McPherson County for years.

The program relies heavily upon donations. However, David Case, founder of Live Free Ministries and the Omega Project in McPherson, is now seeking funding from the city for the project.

Live Free Ministries, in association with the Omega Project, delivered their request for $7,500 during a study session with city commissioners on Monday.

Case said it’s not the first time the ministry reached out for funds from the city. The ministry receives some funding from the county, but so far has not received any from the city.

Case said the city may be considering funding the program now because of new growth in the Omega Project, including an established track record and more hours spent in the project.

“It’s a much more formalized program than it was years ago,” Case said.

The project has grown into five residential houses, servicing 25 men. The men at these houses go through a screening process before being accepted into the residence. Residents of the houses agree to employment, pay rent and comply with house rules.

Each house has a leader to help the men during their rehabilitation. Case said any funds received from the city must go toward drug and alcohol education, including leadership training for the heads of the different houses.

City administrator Nick Gregory said the funds that would be distributed are part of the city’s special alcohol funds. The city receives these funds on a regular basis and is required to disperse them to drug and alcohol abuse programs.

The city commission will decide if it will fund the project at its Monday meeting.

Contact Joseph Tuszynski at joe.tuszynski@mcphersonsentinel.com or follow him on Twitter @JoeTSentinel.